Frequently Asked Questions

What makes community acupuncture different than other acupuncture? Most US acupuncturists treat patients on tables in individual treatment rooms. This is not traditional in Asia, where acupuncture usually occurs in a community setting. At Sebastopol Community Acupuncture we use recliners, clustered in groups in a large, quiet, soothing space. Treating patients in a community setting has many benefits: it’s easy for friends and family members to come in for treatment together; many patients find it comforting; and a collective energetic field becomes established which actually makes individual treatments more powerful.

In some styles of acupuncture, the needles are removed after only a few minutes or after a half hour at most. The style of acupuncture we practice in our clinic allows patients to keep their needles in as long as they want, and the “right” amount of time varies from patient to patient. It’s up to you and your body. Many people fall asleep, and wake feeling refreshed.
We practice a style of acupuncture which mostly uses points in the hands, feet and head to treat problems anywhere in the body – meaning we will probably treat pain in your back by placing tiny needles in your hands.

Is acupuncture effective? Yes. Chinese medicine is the oldest continually practiced form of medicine in existence. It has been practiced in Africa, Europe and the Americas for centuries and in Asia for thousands of years. Both the World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health have recognized acupuncture as effective for a wide range of common acute and chronic conditions. The World Health Organization has said of acupuncture: “the sheer weight of evidence demands that acupuncture must be taken seriously as a clinical procedure of considerable value.”

Is acupuncture safe? Yes. By law, acupuncturists in the state of California must use sterile, single-use disposable needles. This virtually eliminates the risk of infection. Additionally, all acupuncturists must be licensed by the state of California after completing four years of training and education. This rigorous program includes 3000 hours of classroom instruction and a minimum of 1000 hours of clinical residency. Finally, all acupuncturists practicing in the state are required to complete a minimum of 50 hours continuing education every 2 years to keep their license current.

Is acupuncture painful? Usually not. Acupuncture needles are about the width of a human hair, and, upon insertion, most patients feel little or no pain. Some people notice a slight pinprick upon insertion of the needle, but this typically subsides and is replaced with a sensation of warmth, heaviness, tingling, or a dull ache.. Far from painful, acupuncture is often described by patients as a profoundly relaxing experience. Many patients fall into a deep and restful sleep and wake feeling refreshed.

Is acupuncture's effectiveness just a placebo effect? No. Acupuncture has been widely used to treat a variety of domestic animals. In Japan, it is regularly used to treat racehorses. These animals do not understand nor believe in acupuncture, but that does not prevent them from getting well.

How does acupuncture work? Acupuncture has been shown to work with the following body systems:

Nervous: triggers the release of pain-killing endorphins
Immune: stimulates the body’s natural healing ability
Endocrine: regulates reproductive hormones. Also stimulates the release of hormones that regulate serotonin in the brain.
Circulatory: increases blood circulation and regulates vaso-dilation & constriction

What can acupuncture treat? Below is a partial list of the conditions treated by acupuncture:

RESPIRATORY: Asthma, allergies, common cold, flu, cough, bronchitis, sinusitis, rhinitis

CIRCULATORY: hypertension, arteriosclerosis, palpitations, angina

DIGESTIVE: indigestion, gastritis, IBS, constipation, diarrhea, colitis, abdominal pain, stomachache, nausea & vomiting, ulcers, acid reflux

EMOTIONAL: anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia, drug addiction

NEUROLOGICAL: headache, migraine, TMJ, Bell’s Palsy, carpal tunnel syndrome, post-stroke syndrome, numbness, tremors

GYNECOLOGICAL: PMS, menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, palpitations, irritability, mood swings), endometriosis, infertility, painful menstruation, irregular menstruation, low libido

UROGENITAL: UTI, frequent urination, incontinence, nocturia

PAIN: back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, wrist pain, ankle pain, post-operative pain, arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, sprains and strains

OTHER: Chronic Fatigue, Lyme’s Disease, Restless Leg Syndrome, skin conditions, stress, edema, immunological support, health maintenance, weight management